Wiener vending machine and process



Dec. 4, 1945.

C. R. SI MPKINS YIIENER VENDING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed Nov. 20} 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Car/ 1? Dec. 4 1945. c. RQSIMPKINS WIENER VENDING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed Nov. 20, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

Dec. 4, 1945. c. R. SIMPKINS WIENER VENDING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed Nov. 20, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 4, 1945. c. R. S IMPKINS 2,390,277

WIENER VENDING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed NOV. 20, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 4, 1945. c. R. SIMPKINS WIENER VENDING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed Nov. 20, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 1945- c. R. SIMPKINS WIENER VENDING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed Nov. 20

, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEY.

- 4, 1945; c. R. SIMPKINS WIENER VENDING MACHINE AND PROCESS- Filed NOV. 20, 1939 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 w L j M E w "fied process, which is ture according to the Patented Dec. ,4, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Carl R. Simpkins, Los An Samuel Verner McCo geles, Calif., assignor to nnell, Seattle, Wash.

Application November 20, 1939, Serial No. 305,318

11 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for and a process of cooking and vending wieners, and more particularly to such an apparatus and process in which a plurality of previously prepared and wrapped wiener sandwiches are adapted to be successively presented, in response to the insertion of coins into the machine, to a cooking stage for cooking and for subsequent delivery to the purchaser.

This invention constitutes an improvement upon Patent No. 2,139,690, issued December 13, 1938, to S. V. McConnell et al.

It is one object of this invention to provide a process of cooking wiener sandwiches previously enclosed in-suitable wrapping material, such as Cellophane or the like, in which a plurality of such sandwiches are successively conveyed to a cooking unit, at which stage in response to suitable timing mechanism the'sandwich is contacted by cooking elements for a predetermined period of time, is then released by said cooking elements and delivered to the purchaser, the elements of the machine then returning to original position for succeeding operations.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine for carrying out the above identinovel and economical in construction.

Further objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view showing a cabinet in which is housed wiener-vending struc present invention, the doors of the cabinet being partly open to expose portions of the working mechanism.

f Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of said working scale.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view thereof. I

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section to an enlarged scale detailing one of the cooking units of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the machine with the scale corresponding to that of Figs. 2. 3 and 4.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section on mechanism taken to an enlarged line 1-1 of Fig. 6. y Fig.-8 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical. section illustrating a portion of the coin control mechanism in its relation to the conveyor chain which carries the wiener sandwiches into cooksealing the sandwich in the other half the position of parts of the working mechanism at the back of the machine.

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram of the various electrical circuits used; and

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section illustrating related parts of the coin control structure.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown a cabinet I for housing the mechanism. The cabinet is chute 2 in the front thereof for delivering the cooked wiener sandwiches to the purchasers. A coin slot 3 is provided for the insertion of coins to actuate the mechanism. A door 4 may be provided in the upper half of the cabinet and a second door 5 may be provided in the lower half of the cabinet. Referring more particularly to Fig. 2, there is illustrated a motor 6, suitable speed reduction mechanism 1 actuating crank arm 8, connecting a link 9 to lever Ill. The lever I0 is secured upon a pivotally-mounted shaft l I. An extension I 2 formed integral with the lever I0 is provided carrying a cam engaging roller l3. A shaft I4 is provided, upon which is loosely piv oted a cam member l5. Formed upon shaft I4 is a lug l6 carrying a Pin I1. Secured to the shaft I l at the rear thereof is an arm l8 pivotally connected to a link I9 having a hook 20 formed at the upper end thereof.

A housing 2| is provided, upon the rear wall 22 of which .is mounted a pinion 23 having hook engaging members 24 formed upon the rear face thereof. The hook 20 isadapted to engage the engaging members 24 upon the pinion 23 upon the operation of the lever ill to rotate the pinion 23, which in turn rotates a pinion 25 engaged by said pinion 23 and carried by a shaft 26. Centrally disposed upon the shaft 26 is a sprocket 21 carrying a chain 28. Mounted upon the chain 28 is a plurality of elevator members 29 adapted to carry a plurality of previously wrapped wiener sandwiches 30. The sandwiches 30 are preferably prepared by slicing inhalfa bun of the normal character used for this character of-food product, coating the walls of the .bun with a suitable quantity of'mustard, inserting a wiener between the halves of the bun and subsequently a wrap r 0f Cellophane or equivalent material.

Responsive to each reciprocation of the lever I 0 and partial revolution of the pinion 23, the

provided with a delivery elevators 28 carrying the pelled about the sprocket wheel 21. In each such movement, one of the elevators 28 will assume the position illustrated by the dotted line 3| of Fig. 2, thereby placing a sandwich in the position which carriesand ispivotally actuated by said link. Shaft 31 carries a set of gripping fingers 38 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Within the housing 2| is an internal partition 39, the end of which is curved as at 48 and terminates in angularly disposed fingers 4|. reciprocation of the lever [8 through the lost motion mechanism 34 and link 35 the shaft 31 is rotated, causing the fingers 38 to rise and-grip the sandwich 38 against the curved portion 48 of partition 39 tosecurely hold said sandwich in position for, cooking. The fingers 38 are spaced suitably to pass the fingers. 42 constituting ber of the elevators 28.

Also acting by the downward stroke of said lever l8, the cam engaging roller |3 on the extension |2 passes the loosely pivoted .cam member l5. Upon. the upward stroke of the lever |8, this roller |3 acts to press the cam l down upon the pin |1 carried by the lug |8 which lug, being secured to the shaft l4, rotates the latter. Fixed to the shaft I4 and rotated therewith is an arm 43 at the outer end of which is pivoted at 44 a link 45. The link 45 is pivoted at its upper end 48 to a quadrant 41, which quadrant is pivotally mounted as at 48 to a bracket 49 (see Fig.6) Pivoted from the front of said quadrant 41 is a link 58.

Mounted upon the front wall 5| of the housing 2| are spacers 53 carrying a panel 54, and mounted upon this panel is a post 55 to the front end of which is pivoted at 58 a link 51. The link 51 has pivoted thereto a link 58, which link 58 passes through an aperture 58 (Fig. 4) in link 58. At the front end of the link 58 there is formed a socket 88 engaging the cooking element 8|. As most clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 9, the shaft |4 extends through the machine and fixedly carries upon the rear end thereof a pawl 82, having a beveled end 83 for purposes which will appear hereinafter. Pivoted upon the pawl 82 at 44' is a link 45' which in turn is pivoted at 48' to the upper rear end of quadrant 41'. The quadrant 41' is pivoted as at 48' to a bracket 48'. Pivoted from the upper front of quadrant 41' is a link 58'.

the sup rting. mem- A panel 54' is provided which is secured to the rear wall 22 of housing 2|, and on this panel is a. post 55 to which is pivoted at 58' a link 51'. A link 58' is pivoted to the end of link 51 and passes through an aperture 58 in link 58'. A-

socket 88' is provided upon the end of link 58', engaging cooking element 8|.

Responsive to the rotation of the shaft l4, the arm 43 and the pawl 82'through links 45 and 45' pivoted to the quadrants 41 and 41' rotate said quadrants. The rotation of the quadrants 41 and 41 withdraws the links 58 and 58 toward the center of the machine, thereby pulling links 58 and'58' inwardly, causing sockets 88 and 88 to press cooking elements 8| and 8| into engagement with the wiener, as will bee-hereinafter described.

Securely mounted upon the shaft H, at the sandwiches 38 are pro-' In response to the between the fingers 4| and also of the shaft- I4 and complete rotation rear thereof,'is an 'arm84 roller 85. In its normal position the insulated roller is adapted to engage one end 88 of a main switch 81 and hold the same open. Hesponsive to rotation of the shaft I4, the arm 84 carrying the roller 85 permits the end 88 of the main switch 81 to close, thereby [closing the main circuit. Further rotation of the shaft |4 brings the insulated roller 85 into contact with one end 88 of a, cooking switch 89, thereby energizing the cooking circuit. Another switch 18 is shown having an end 1| adapted to be engaged by the insulated roller 85. As sho the switch 18 is positioned to one side of the cooking clarity of illustration but in practice it has been found preferable to'mount the switch 18 in line with the, switch 89 for simultaneous engagement of the insulated roller 85 with the ends 88 and 1| of the switches 88 and 18, respectively. The purpose of the switch 18 will be explained hereinafter.

With particular reference to Figs. 4 and 18, it will be noted that responsive to the rotation of the shaft H the pawl 82 will dip downward and the beveled surface 83 will engage the upper end 12 of a ratchet ratchet 13 and a coil spring 88 is attached thereto having its other end fixed as at 81 to the panel 54. A link 15 is pivoted at 18 upon the upper end of ratchet 13. The link 15 has a lost motion slot 11 formed at its other end, in which is pivoted at the lower end a lever 18. The lever 18 is given a pivotal mounting of its upper end 18 to the panel 54'. Pivotally connected to-the lower end of said lever 18 above the connection with the link 18 is a link 88 having its other end pivotally connected to the core 8| of a solenoid 88. Also pivoted upon the lever 18 by lost motion slot 82 is a link 83 pivoted to a. ratchet member 84. A lug 88 is formed upon one end of the ratchet 84 and a coil spring 89 is attached thereto, the other end being secured as at 88 to the panel 54.

Mounted upon the rear of the shaft 31 is a spring 82 is attached to the pawl 8| and theother end thereof is secured to the panel as at 88.

It will thus be apparent that upon the rotation of the shaft 31 will force the beveled surface 83-into engagement with the ratchet 13 which, by means of lost motion slots 11 and 82, will yield against the pressure of the springs 88 and 88, thereby locking the mechanism. The pawl 8| will similarly engage the ratchet 84 thereby locking the gripping fingers 38 in cooking position.

It will be noted that simultaneously with the locking of the various mechanisms as above described, the insulated roller 85 has permitted the energizing of the main circuit through the switch 81. Through circuits later to be described, a timing mechanism 84 (Figs. 3 and 10) is energized. A cam 85 is provided upon the timing mechanism 84, engaged by cam engaging element 98 of a switch 81. Upon the completion of one of the cam 85, the cam engaging element 88 will drop nto the notch 88 of cam 85, closing the switchy81. The closing of the switch 81 energizes the solenoid 88, withdrawing the core 8|.

It will also be noted that directly succeeding the starting of the timing mechanism 84, the switch 88 is closed by the insulated roller 85, thereby closing the cooking circuit. Referring to carrying an insulatedswitch 89 for 13 pivoted at 14 to the panel 54'. A lug 85 is formed upon the lower end of the pawl 82 Fig. 5, it will be seen that I have provided a cooking member tI comprising a, ball IIIII adapted to be engaged by the socket 60. The ball IIII is mounted upon one end of an insulated rod l! which is secured to a stem I 02. A metallic core I" is provided surrounded by a suitable sleeve I preferably formed oi'Tbrass. An insulating bushing It! may surround the sleeve I04 and insulating washers I06 may be provided at both ends of the bushing. As shown, the cooking unit is mounted in the bracket 49 and the panel 54. Current is supplied to the cooking unit by means of a power source It! having connection with the sleeve Illl as at I III. In order to insure continued electrical contact between the core I03 and the sleeve I04, a socket His is provided in core I03, in which is mounted a coil spring II II bearing upon a ball I I I. It will be appreciated that the ball III bears upon the inner surface of the sleeve I at all times.

Upon the inner end of the core III: a metallic plate H2 is fixedly mounted by suitable attaching means I I3 and carries a plurality of wiener engaging elements I ll. An aperture H5 is provided in the panel SI and is made larger than the diameter of the metallic plate H2 to prevent electrical contact therebetween. An insulating plate H6 may be secured to the panel 54. Responsive to the action of the socket 60, as heretofore described, the elements IOI and H13 of the cooking unit SI move forwardly within the sleeve IIW, thereby bringing the wiener engaging elements H4 into engagement with the wieners to complete the cooking circuit.

Through circuits hereinafter to be described,

electric current is passed from the wiener engaging elements H4 through the wiener to cook the same. It will, of course, be understood that a similar wiener engaging element 5| is simultaneously engaged with the other end 01' the wiener.

At the completion of the cooking interval, the cam engaging element 96 of the timing mechanism so enters the notch 98 of the cam 95, closing the timing circuit. Energized by this circuit, the solenoid withdraws the core ti, thereby 1miocizing the mechanism. Through the links 80 the ratchet '53 will be withdrawn from the pawl 52?, thereby releasing the same. A spring H3 attached to the pawl 52, together with a spring 335; attached to the link at, return these members to their original positions. Simultaneousiy the links 8%, It and 83, the ratchet Ed is withdrawn engagement with the pawl ii and responsive to the action of the spring 92 the pawi is returned to its initial position. It will be appreciated that under the force of the springs and H3 rotating the shaft I 4, the cooking members ti are withdrawnto their original position and all of the other elements restored to their proper position for the beginning of another cooking operation.

it will also Foe appreciated that with the return oi the pawl SI to its original position, responsive to the force of the spring 92 the shaft 31 is rotated, thereby releasing the fingers 38 and permitting the wiener 30 to drop down the delivery chute 2 for delivery to the purchaser.

The machine is adapted to be operated in response to the insertion of coins in the coin slot 3. In the upper portion of this slot are shown details of a slug detecting device which is or may be conventional in design. A coin dropped in the coin slot 3 passes down the path indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6 to hit the face H8 of the lever I20.

element I28 of a switch I21.

The lever I2! is pivoted as at III and an extenslon I22 carries at the upper end thereof an insulated roller ttached to the upper end of the extension In and the other end thereof is attached to the housing M as at I25. Responsive to the impact of the coin upon the face H9 of the lever I20, the insulated roller I23 is brought into contact with one The switch I21, through circuits hereinafter to be described, actuates the motor Ii.

The motor 6, through links 8, 9 and lever II,

' imparts a partial rotation to the shaft I I, as previously described. Referringto Fig. '1, it will be seen that the shaft II fixedly carries upon one end thereof a lever I 28. The lever I28 has pivoted from one end a crank I29. The crank I20 is pivoted to the panel 54 as at I30. The under surface of the crank I28 is notched as at III (see Fig. 6). v A lug I32 is formed upon the extension I22 and is positioned so as to be contacted by said notch I 3I.

The operation of the above described device is as follows:

After the insulated roller I23 has been brought into contact with the member I28 of switch I21 to actuate the motor 6, the rotation of the shaft I I causes a rocking of the crank I29. The notched end of the crank I29 upon its downward motion contacts the lug I 32, thereby removing the insulated roller 23 from contact with the memher i 26 and breaking the motor circuit. Having presence of a wiener 38 upon the elevator 29 will force the L shaped arm to the right (see Fig. 8) and out of the cooking compartment. In the absence of a wienernpon the elevator 23, the L shaped arm. i233 consequently takes the position shown in 8 and rotates the shaft I34 which, through the medium of the link I31 and the rod thereby rocks the lever I39. The lever I39 is pivoted H3 in a bracket I H secured to the side of casing. Upon one end of the lever 23:? is a coin deflector H2.

The slug detecting device employed with this machine has an opening M3 (Fig. 6) provided in the coin path, which normal coins are expected to jump. The coin deflector I42 is adapted to be positioned in the normal path of the coins the 5.. shaped arm I33 is in the position shown in Fig. 8, in other words when the machine is empty. A coin striking the coin deflector I42 will be deflected, in the same manner as are false coins and slugs by the slug detecting device, for

. return to the purchaser through the chute 2. It

- is identical with the half described and is em- 'ployed merely to increase the capacity o the machine and to make the facilities of the machine 12:. a suitable coil spring m is,

available to two purchasers at the same time. It is obvious that additional units may be employed and, without departing from the design of this machine, machines having three, four, or more, separate units may he provided.

As previously noted, a switch III is provided adapted to be engaged by the insulated roller 65 simultaneous with its engagement with the switch 89. As will appear from the wiring diagram, the contact of the insulated roller with the switch 10, resulting in the opening of that switch, breaks the motor circuit so that the insertion of a second coin into the coin slot, while a wiener is being cooked in response to the insertion of a previous coin, will not start the motor and jam the machine. However, upon the return of the mechanism to its initial position at the conclusion of the cooking period, as hereinbefore described, the switch will be closed and the machine started by the secondly inserted coin, as expected by the purchaser.

In Fig. 10 the wiring diagram of the machine is shown. As shown, power is secured from wires I44 and I45, being the conventional wires of the ordinary alternating current generally supplied. One side of the motor 6 is connected to the source I45 and the other side of the motor is connected through safety switch III and coin controlled switch I21 to the other source I44. One side of the timing mechanism 94 is shown connected to the source I44 and the other end of the timing mechanism is shown connected through the main switch 61 to the other source I45. One end of the solenoid 99 is shown connected to the source I44 through the switch 91 and the other end thereof is shown connected to the source I45. A transformer I46 is provided, the primary of which is connected to the source I44 and to the main switch 61, as shown. The secondary of the transformer is connected through the cooking switch 89 and the circuit comprising the cooking elements ,SI, the wiener 30 and the cooking element BI, to the source I44.

The operation ,of the device is as follows:

In response to the insertion of a coin in the coin slot 3, the switch I21 is closed through the medium of the arm I20 and the insulated roller I23, thereby energizing the motor. The motor 6 through the medium of the links 8 and 9 and lever I0, imparts the heretofore described motion to the shafts I4 and 31. The rotation of the shafts I4 and 31 causes the positioning of a wiener in the cooking position and the contact of said wiener by the cooking elements GI and iii. The described closing of the switch 61 actuates the timing device 94 and the closing of lever III to prevent coasting of the motor 8. Likewise .I have found it advantageous to employ a stop I48 in line with the cam IS in order to assure that the cam I5 following the initial contact with the roller II will drop backinto the position shown in Fig. 2. I have also found it advantageous to employ a stop I49 to retain the arm 43 in the position shown in Fig. 2 and limit its movement under the influence of the spring III.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a process and a machine in which, in responseto the insertion of suitable coins, a plurality of previously wrapped wiener sandwiches are presented successively to a cooking stage wherein they are contacted for a predetermined interval of time by electric cooking elements, following which operation they are released and delivered to the purchaser and the operating elements of the machine return to their original positions in preparation for a succeeding cooking operation.

No claim is made to the coin selecting device depicted in this applicatio which constitutes no part of my invention.

While the particular forms of the invention herein described are well adapted to carry out the objects oil-the invention, it is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the principles of the invention, and the invention includes all such modifications and changes as come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for broiling and vending wiener sandwiches, the combination of conveyor means for successively presenting a plurality of wiener sandwiches to a cooking stage, finger means for positively retaining said sandwiches at said cooking stage during the cooking operation, electrodes for contacting said successively presented wiener sandwiches to establish an electric current through said sandwiches, means for maintaining said electric current a predetermined period of time, and means for releasing said sandwiches for delivery to a purchaser.

2. In a machine for broilin and vending wiener sandwiches, the combination of a motor,

the switch 69 energizes the cooking circuit.

Simultaneously with the closing of the switch 69 the motor safety switch I0 is opened in order,

to prevent further motion of the motor during the cooking operation. Following one complete revolution of the timing cam 95, the solenoid circuit is energized by the switch 91 and the core BI is withdrawn into the solenoid 99, thereby unlockin the mechanism, returning the various elements to their original position, and releas ing the wiener down the delivery chute 2 to the purchaser. As hereinbefore described, the coin return element I42 has functioned to return the coin to the purchaser after the machine is empty. It will be appreciated that the transformer I 46 is utilized in order to provide a suitable current through the wiener.

In practice I have found it advantageous to employ a brake I41 (Fig. 2) bearing upon the means responsive to said motor for presenting a plurality of wiener sandwiches successively to a cooking stage, finger means for positively retaining said sandwiches at said cooking stage during the cooking operation, a pair of electrodes for contacting said sandwiches to establish an electric current through said sandwiches, means responsive to said motor for contacting said sandwiches with said electrodes, means for shutting off said motor, time controlled means for releasing said electrodes from said sandwiches, means for delivering said sandwiches to a purchaser, and means preventing the restarting of said motor prior to the delivery of the sandwich being cooked to the purchaser.

3. In a machine for broiling and vending wiener sandwiches, the combination of a motor, means responsive to said motor for presentin a wiener sandwich to a cooking stage, finger means for positively retaining said sandwich at said cooking stage during the cooking operation, a pair of electrodes for contacting said sandwich to establish an electric current through said sandwich, means responsive to said motor for contacting said sandwich with said electrodes, means for positively holding said electrodes in contact with said sandwich, a solenoid, time con trolled means for actuating said solenoid. and

for releasing said electrodes from contact with said sandwich for delivery to a purchaser.

4. In a machine for broiling and vending wiener sandwiches, the combination of a motor, means responsive to said motor for presenting a wiener sandwich to a cooking stage, finger means for positively retaining said sandwich at said cooking stage during the cooking operation, a pair of electrodes for contacting said sandwich to establish an electric current through said sandwich, means responsive to said motor for contacting said sandwich with said electrodes, means for positively holding said electrodes and said finger means in contact with said sandwich, a solenoid, time controlled means for aci tuating said solenoid, means responsive to the action of said solenoid for releasing said electrodes and said finger means from contact with said sandwich, and means for returning the moving parts of said machine to original position to permit a successive operation of said machine.

5. In a machine vfor broiling and vending wiener sandwiches, means for presenting a wiener sandwich to a cooking stage, means for contacting said wiener sandwich with current carrying electrodes, sandwich-gripping means independent of said electrodes for positively retaining said sandwich at said cooking stage during the cooking operation, means for locking said electrodes and said gripping means in cooking position, a solenoid, means responsive to the action of said solenoid for unlocking said electrodes and said gripping means, and spring means for withdrawing said elctrodes and said gripping means from contact with said sandwich.

6. In a machine for broiling and vending wiener sandwiches, the combination of conveyor means for presenting a plurality oi wiener sandwiches successively to a cooking stage, sandwichgripping means for positively retaining the sandwiches at said cooking stage, electrodes assomeans responsive to the action of said solenoid ciated with the cooking stage and movable from a normally inoperative position into contacting engagement with the wiener oi the gripped sandwiches, means for establishing an electric current through said electrodes and the sandwiches, means for maintaining said electric current a predetermined period of time, and means for releasing said sandwiches from said electrodes and from the cooking stage for delivery to a purchaser.

7. In a machine for broiling and vending wiener sandwiches, a compartment for a wiener sandwich, a stationary cooking stage removed therefrom, means for presenting the sandwich from the compartment to said cooking stage, current-carrying electrodes, means for bringing said electrodes from a position normally inoperative to the presented sandwich into contact with the wiener oi the sandwich, means tor locking said electrodes in contacting position, a solenoid, meansresponsive to the action oi said solenoid a cooking, interval to permit the spring for unlocking said electrodes, and means for withdrawing said electrodes from contact with said sandwich.

8. In a machine for broiling and vending wiener sandwiches, a compartment for a wiener sandwich, a cooking stage removed therefrom, means for presenting the sandwich from the compartment to said cooking stage, current-carrying electrodes, means for bringing said electrodes from a position normally inoperative to the presented sandwich into contact with the wiener sandwich, means for locking said electrodes in said contacting position, a solenoid, and means responsive to the action of said solenoid for releasing said locking mean and withdrawing the electrodes from sandwich-contacting position.

9. In a machine for broiling and vending wiener sandwiches, a cooking stage for the sandwich, electrodes supported for movement into and from contact with a sandwich occupying the stage for traversing the sandwich with electric current, a motor, a solenoid, means responsive to the operation of the motor for moving the electrodes into said contact position, means for lock in the electrodes in said contact position, and means responsive to the operation of the solenoid for releasing said locking means to permit the electrodes to be withdrawn from the said contact position.

10. In a machine for broiling and vending wiener sandwiches, a cooking stage for the sandwich, electrodes supported for movement into and from contact with a sandwich occupyingthe stage for traversing the sandwich with electric current, a motor, mechanical connection between the motor and the elctrodes for moving the electrodes into said contact position, a spring yieldingly opposing said motor-responsive movement.

of the electrodes, means for locking the electrodes in said contact position against the retractive influence of the spring, and means for releasing the locking means to permit the spring to assert its retractive power for withdrawing the electrodes from said contact position.

11. In a machine for broiling and vending wiener sandwiches, a cooking stage for the sandwich, electrodes supported for movement into and from contact with a sandwich occupying the stage for traversing the sandwich with electric current, a spring operatively connected with the electrodes and exerting its energy to normally hold the electrodes out of contact with 9. sends wich occupying the stage. power devices tor moving the electrodes into said contact position against the influence or the spring. means for holding the electrodesinaaid contact position, and means for releasing the electrodes following to assert its retractive power for withdrawing trodes from said contact position.

cent. a. s.

the elec- 

